The carrying of flowers by the bride goes back to ancient times when it was believed that strong smelling herbs and spices would ward off and drive away evil spirits, bad luck and ill health - garlic and chives were popular for this reason. During Roman times the bride and groom wore floral garlands signifying new life and hope for fertility. During Victorian times, flowers took on an additional significance as lovers would send messages to each other using different flowers, each with its own symbolic meaning. These associations were soon adopted for the bridal bouquet and are still used today by many brides. For example orange blossom, which has always been associated with weddings, signifies purity and chastity; peonies are avoided by some as they represent shame; azaleas represent temperance; roses symbolise love and snowdrops represent hope. The most popular flowers with their traditional meanings are: Almond blossom - Hope Apple blossom - Good fortune and better things to come Barberry - Bad temper Burdock - Touch me not Camellia - Gratitude Carnation - Fascination and love Chrysanthemum - red - I love you Chrysanthemum - white - Truth Cyclamen - Modesty and shyness Daffodil - Regard Daisy - Innocence Fern - Fascination and sincerity Flowering Almond - Hope Forget-me-not - Remembrance and true love Gardenia - Joy Heather - Good luck Hellebore - Scandal Heliotrope - Devotion and faithfulness Honeysuckle - Generosity Hyacinth - Loveliness Hydrangea - Boastfulness Ivy - Eternal fidelity Iris - Flame/burning love and warmth of affection Japonica - Loveliness Jasmine - Amiability King's Cup - I wish I were rich Larkspur - Fickleness Lemon blossom - Fidelity in love Lilac (white) - Youthful innocence Lily - Majesty Lily-of-the-valley - Return of happiness Magnolia - Perseverance Maidenhair - Discretion Marigold - Grief Meadow Saffron - My best days are past Mimosa - Sensitivity Myrtle - Love Narcissus - Egotism Orange blossom - Purity and virginity Orchid - Beauty Peach blossom - Captive Pink - Boldness Rose (red) - Love, happiness Rose (yellow) - Friendship Rose (coral) - Desire Rose (peach) - Modesty Rose (dark pink) - Thankfulness Rose (pale pink) - Grace Rose (orange) - Fascination Rose (white) - Innocence Rosemary - Remembrance Snowdrop - Hope Sweet Pea - Pleasure Tulip - red - I love you Tulip - white - I am worthy of you Tulip - Love Veronica - Fidelity Violet - Faithfulness Weddings Index Main Index Click here to Bookmark this site!